At The Outward Bound Trust the natural environment is integral to what we do; as such we are working to make sure we look after it.

We are well placed to ensure that young people who come to our centres have a positive experience in the outdoors, and that it teaches them to have increased concern for, and awareness of the natural environment.

We also understand that our activities have an impact on the environment in a number of ways, from the resources required to run our centres, to the impact of taking groups into the outdoors.

Our environmental policy describes the ways in which we have committed to reduce this impact.

CEMARS

In 2009, The Outward Bound Trust received its first CEMARS (Carbon Emission Management and Reduction Scheme) audit, with the aim of measuring and ultimately reducing its greenhouse gas emissions. The audit revealed that in 2008-9 The Trust emitted 1514 tonnes of carbon dioxide, which is the equivalent of 600 cars driving on Britain’s roads for nearly a year.

Following the audit, The Trust committed to reducing its absolute emissions by 2% between May 09 and December 2010.   We also pledged to make an annual reduction to our CO2 emissions by 30.3 tonnes.  In other words, that’s the level of pollution you would emit if you drove around the world about three and a half times in an average car.

The first review of our progress has shown that we are almost on target for our carbon reduction plan, with a decrease in our emissions of 27 tonnes in 2009.  By making simple but effective adjustments to the way we work, The Trust has been able to significantly lower its environmental impact in a number of areas including staff and customer transport and heating our centres.  

Going further to reduce our impact

As part of The Trust's ongoing commitment to the environment, we pleased to have achieved a 'kite-mark' standard for each of our centres and head office. We have GTBS Gold award for Loch Eil and our non-residential operation in Glasgow, CBEN Gold for Ullswater, Howtown, Eskdale and our head office in Hackthorpe and Green Dragon Level 3 for Aberdovey.

Our partnership with The John Muir Award

The John Muir Award was launched in 1997 to offer people of all ages and backgrounds the opportunity to engage with wild places, conservation and biodiversity. It is a nationlly recognised environmental award scheme that encourages awareness and responsibility for the natural environment, in a spirit of fun, adventure and exploration.

Around 20,000 participants get involved in the John Muir Award every year, through provider organisations such as The Outward Bound Trust.For more information click here.